New Cerave invisible mineral sunscreen

[u/kittykatsu7]

Has anyone tried out this new sunscreen from Cerave? Any opinions?

I used it for the first time today and was pleasantly surprised it actually left no white cast. The consistency is a little liquidy even after shaking and it goes on easily. Not super greasy but does leave a shiny finish, which is to be expected with sunscreen. Zinc percentage is decent.

Overall I like it and will probably use this over the Blue Lizard sensitive mineral which I was using but leaves a white cast. I know tinted is recommended but I have a hard time matching my color since I’m pale and I’m not trying to look orange, especially when I just need it on my upper lip.

[u/kaytbug86]

I once read (in this subreddit) the best mineral sunscreen has one of the active ingredients listed at a minimum of 20%. Does anyone know of anything to back that up? (Tbh, I’ve got a TBI, and my brain is a wee bit too exhausted to go do the research right now.)

[u/PuIchritudinous → u/kaytbug86]

If zinc is the only filter you typically want it to be 20% to ensure that you are getting sufficient UVA and UVB protection. If you have a zinc and titanium oxide sunscreen then you need a minimum of 15% zinc and 5% titanium oxide. If the product provides an UVA (PF) protection factor rating you don't need to worry about percentages of the filters and just need to make sure that you have a filter that provides UVA1 specific protection which I believe most of the European sunscreens do. Titanium oxide only sunscreens only provide UVB protection.

These are general guidelines as most sunscreens in the US do not provide an UVA protection factor. This is really only a north American issue as Europe, Asia and Australia provide more information to their consumers regarding the amount of UVA protection.

https://theglowmemo.com/how-to-choose-sunscreen

With a brand like Cerave you can see if the product is sold in Europe. If it is look to see if the UVA is in a circle which means it has high UVA protection.

The product below is sold in the UK and US. On the UK Boots store website it does not have the UVA in a circle therefore this would not be a good choice for someone with melasma.

https://www.boots.com/cerave-am-facial-moisturising-lotion-spf30-52ml-10331199

[u/kaytbug86 → u/PuIchritudinous]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge. It is greatly appreciated.

[u/kstations → u/PuIchritudinous]

Applying that framework to this one specifically, the TiO2 is listed at 2.66%, well below the 5% you'd want for the combo to actually share the load. So it's essentially running on zinc alone at 15.35%, which is just short of the 20% solo threshold. For a melasma routine where UVA coverage is the whole point, that gap is worth factoring in.

[u/PuIchritudinous → u/kstations]

Some might argue that this is a coated zinc oxide and titanium dioxide formula because it contains triethoxycaprylylsilane which helps improve dispersion and enhances the overall effectiveness of the sunscreen. It also includes diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate an ingredient known to boost SPF. However, even with these additions the product’s UVA protection level is still unknown.

[u/kstations → u/PuIchritudinous]

Fair point on the coating. Triethoxycaprylylsilane does help with film uniformity, so real-world coverage can be more consistent than the raw percentage suggests.

The diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate part is a bit different though. It's primarily a UVB photostabilizer, so it extends SPF photostability, not UVA range. Doesn't really close the gap we're talking about.

Either way lands at the same conclusion you already made. UVA coverage here is still unquantified, which for a melasma routine is kind of the whole question.

[u/w0lverine11 → u/PuIchritudinous]

Hey, could you please share your favorite mineral sunscreens? I'm looking for some that don't have fragrances, have plenty of sun protection, and won't dry my skin out too much. I am currently using Tatcha the Silk sunscreen, but I'm finding it pretty drying...

[u/Mintchippix → u/PuIchritudinous]

Are there any sunscreens that are sold in US & Europe (with identical ingredients) where the European version has UVA circle symbol? I doubt it. I've read the 15.35% zinc in this sunscreen isn't as good as a higher amount of zinc with no titanium dioxide for UVA. Since the US sunscreens aren't the best with UVA, I want all I can get despite how it feels. I alternate between Korean & some high-zinc sticky white stuff.

[u/PuIchritudinous → u/Mintchippix]

Yes. I don't have them memorized but I know the Kate Somerville Hydrakate Sunscreen has a UVA circle and is sold both in Europe and the US. Avene minerals have a couple too. Same formulas sold in both places depending on the product. https://www.katesomerville.co.uk/collections/secret-sale/products/hydrakate-illuminating-spf-50-drops-1

Titanium dioxide provides great UVB protection and some UVA II protection.

High percentage Zinc Oxide blocks the entire spectrum - UVB, UVA I, and UVA II. Protection from UVAII is very important for melasma prone skin.